Race Date: Saturday 6th October 2024
After the Northern Four and Six Stage Relays in Blackpool a few weeks ago it was left to the women to represent Steel City at the National Road Relays over an about 2.7 mile, not flat single lap within Sutton Park.
Steel City had the luxury of a non-competing team manager available to sort out declarations, numbers and to ensure that everyone was in the right place at the right time. However, even Malcolm Baggaley couldn’t sort out the an unfortunate late withdrawal due to illness so, turning to Plan B, Emily Green was quickly promoted to the A team sadly leaving an incomplete B team.
Building a team can be difficult at times but as Hannah Holliday loved the Northern Relays at Blackpool so much that she said ‘never again’ then messaged Malcolm the next day to say she could run the Nationals if she was needed. Alongside her in the B Team both Hannah Murton and Jennifer Simpson were running their first ever relays getting to enjoy the experience of competing against, and being lapped by, International athletes.
Top Row: Abbie Pearse, Emily Green, Kathryn Liddiard, Caroline Brock Bottom Row: Jennifer Simpson, Hannah Holliday, Hannah Murton, Malcolm Baggaley (Team Manager)
Steel City A
| Leg | Pos | Name | Time | Net Time | Approx 5k Time |
| Leg 1 | 24 | Abbie Pearse | 14:55 | 14:55 | 17:09 |
| Leg 2 | 45 | Emily Green | 18:22 | 33:17 | 21:07 |
| Leg 3 | 46 | Kathryn Liddiard* | 18:29 | 51:46 | 21:15 |
| Leg 4 | 42 | Caroline Brock* | 15:54 | 07:40 | 18:17 |
* See comments below.
Steel City B
| Leg | Pos | Name | Time | Net Time | Approx 5k Time |
| Leg 1 | 70 | Jennifer Simpson | 18:44 | 18:44 | 21:32 |
| Leg 2 | 68 | Hannah Holliday | 18:38 | 37:22 | 21:25 |
| Leg 3 | 64 | Hannah Murton | 20:37 | 39:15 | 23:42 |
| Leg 4 | Incomplete Team | ||||
First were Herne Hill (58:12) whilst fastest leg on the day was Georgia Grgec whose third leg of 13:39 carried Herne Hill through from eleventh to first place.
Link to full results : National Four and Six Stage Road Relays 2024
* Malcolm advises that the official timings are a little awry with 44 seconds added onto Kathy’s time and taking 44 seconds off Caroline’s time who probably won’t mind at all. Malcolm thinks that with no tech support, chip timing or cameras at the finish line, the officials will have only pen and paper to work from so it’s unlikely that this will be changed.
I was robbed. 44 seconds is an eternity over 5k.
The importance of the team manager is perhaps highlighted by the experience of Hallamshire Harrier’s men. In 15th position after leg three, we understand that the leg four athlete was absent at the changeover and it was about seven minutes later that he realised where he should have been ending up in 63rd position after leg four. This sort of thing has happened to most clubs over the years but not usually at such a high profile event as having finished second at the Northern’s they would have been wanting to do well.
Next of the big relays on the agenda are the Northern Cross Country Relays at Graves Park on the 19th October where a far larger turn out from Steel City and other South Yorkshire Clubs is anticipated. Looking forward, the boys have vowed to join the ladies and qualify for both National Road Relays next year.
Before the race so everyone is happy.